Injuries mount for German rivals

Werder Bremen are sweating on the fitness of their Finnish international defender Petri Pasanen ahead of their UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Bundesliga rivals Hamburger SV on Thursday.

Nail removal
The 28-year-old had to undergo an operation to remove the nail on the big toe of his right foot and missed training on Monday. "It was not that nice, but I can walk and cycle already," said Pasanen, who has suffered a series of niggling injuries this season limiting him to 14 league appearances. "I don't know if I'll be back in time for the Hamburg match, but at the moment it doesn't look like it. It is a very important match, but I will take all the time the injury needs to heal." Aaron Hunt, with an ankle knock, and Daniel Jensen, following an achilles tendon operation, joined Pasanen in sitting out training.

Mixed news
There was mixed news, meanwhile, for HSV with Brazilian defender Alex Silva available after missing the weekend's loss to BV Borussia Dortmund because of personal problems. However, Marcell Jansen (bruised ribs) and Jonathan Pitroipa (hip injury) are still struggling for fitness and are touch-and-go for the visit to Bremen. The club's top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, Mladen Petrić, is definitely out with a deep cut to his shin and will be back for the return at the very earliest. "He has been on a bike again," said Hamburg coach Martin Jol, "but it normally takes two weeks to recover from this."